After 10 episodes spread across two weeks, a winner was finally crowned in Netflix’sSquid Game: The Challenge. A reality series spinoff to the ultra-popular South Korean seriesSquid Gamecreated by Hwang Dong-hyuk,The Challengefeatured several gamesfaithful to the series, new twists, and plenty of drama between the 456 players who began with Red Light, Green Light in the first episode.
Boasting the largest prize sum in reality competition history, there was plenty at stake in the Netflix series. Tears were shed as contestants grew close to one another, only to have their dreams crushed either by chance, betrayal, or their own fault in one of the games. Unlike many other shows in the genre, the $4.56 million available at the end ofSquid Game: The Challengewould be genuinely life-changing for the contestants, and the cast each explained what they would do with the prize if they were so fortunate to win. Of course, like the series it’s based on, only one player can win, so let’s discuss the champion and everything that happened in the final episode of theSquid Gamespinoff.
Mai Whelan Wins the First Season of Squid Game: The Challenge
Squid Game: The Challengeended with a climactic finale reminiscent of the hit Netflix drama series, with Mai Whelan taking home the crown. The final three players, Phill Cain (Player 451), Sam Lantz (Player 016), and Mai (Player 287), receive a gift box with new Tuxedos to wear to their fancy dinner. Finally removing their iconic green track suits, the players head to what will be the best meal they have had so far throughout the series.
A steak with plenty of sides, the three enjoy their meal with playful banter as they wait for what comes next. Throughout the show, any moment of joy has quickly been whisked away with a sinister twist, similar to theoriginalSquid Game. Of course, this would be no different. As the intercom states, a game of chance will be played with three contestants and three buttons: a circle, triangle, and square.
When pressed, each button will display a different color, with red meaning you are eliminated, gray meaning there is no consequence, and green meaning you are onto the final round, and you may choose one contestant to come with you. Phill and Sam are hesitant to press one of the buttons as they are close with one another, meaning they could both move on if one of them picks green. However, with a high chance of picking red, one of them could easily be eliminated.
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On the other hand, Mai will likely be sent home if either Phill or Sam picks green, so she chooses first. She picks the triangle, resulting in gray, meaning nothing has changed for her. After some hesitancy, Sam decides to pick next, selecting the square, which unfortunately results in red. Sam is immediately sent home, meaning the final two contestants ofSquid Game: The Challengeare Players 451 and 287, Phill and Mai.
Squid Game: The Challenge Ends With Rock, Paper, Scissors
As Mai and Phill head back to the bunk room, once filled with 454 other players, they see just how empty it has become, with two beds directly across from each other in an open room. As they are about to sleep, the prize pool of cash is lowered to the ground, with the total being closer than ever to the $4.56 million. They agree that the money feels more real now as it waits through the glass, just a few feet from where they sleep.
The next day, they are greeted by theguards with shape masksand brought to their final game. The Blue Danube Waltz by Johann Strauss II plays one more time as they climb the colorful stairs, and they eventually arrive in the room where the most high-stakes game of rock, paper, scissors will be played. Of course, it wouldn’t beSquid Gamewithout one more twist.
With each winning turn, a player will choose a key out of a box and attempt to unlock a safe. Only one key will work, meaning Mai and Phill will continue to play rock, paper, scissors until one chooses the correct key, unlocks the safe, and wins the $4.56 million. They stand directly across from each other in the middle of the room and begin their game.
Phill believes it will be entirely a game of chance, while Mai says she will implement strategy into her approach. She believes adult males tend to play more rock and scissors, as they symbolize power within them. In the first round, she is correct, with Phill playing rock and Mai holding up paper. She wins the round, grabs a key, and attempts to unlock the box, though unsuccessful. Phill then wins the next round, though he is also unable to open the safe.
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From here, the pair continue to play, with Mai winning the majority of rounds as she tries to anticipate what Phill will do while he sticks to a more random strategy. Although Mai has won far more rounds, she still has not picked the correct key. Finally, Phill beats her paper with scissors, picks a key, and tries to unlock the safe again. No luck. They continue; Mai beats Phill with scissors against paper, heads to the key box, and approaches the safe. As the music swells to a climax, she inserts the key, hears a click, and opens the safe, revealing a golden card. “Player 287, you have one 4.56 million dollars.”
Phill congratulates Mai as she bursts into tears, the first winner ofSquid Game: The Challenge. She exits the series by saying:
“Today just validates that anything is possible. Even when you feel down and afraid, you have to pick yourself up, be a strong person, and focus. Whatever your fear is, fight it with everything that you got, and you can accomplish anything. And that’s proven tonight. I am the winner.”
Of course, this isn’t the last we will see ofSquid Game: The Challenge, as,despite the controversy, season 2 has already been renewed on Netflix. The series ends by showing the cast who lost this season, what they are doing now, and Mai checking her bank account with her massive paycheck. Netflix then offers for anyone interested to check out their casting call, as they are looking for new players for the series' second season.
Work continues onSquid Gameseason 2, the South Korean drama series, which is expected to hit the steamer sometime in 2024, though an exact release date has yet to be announced.
